Statues and monuments

Millstone

Old millstones found in the village of Hietakylä were used as the models for this stone designed by Eino Marttila. The stone was erected in 1974. The legend has it that King Gustav III of Sweden proposed to Empress Catherine II of Russia during the 1783 negotiations in Hamina. Catherine would not, however, say yes until one could, instead of a hand kiss, give a proper kiss through the hole in the millstone.

Monument to Soldiers Fallen in Coastal Battles

Monuments in the park of St John’s Church

Including the memorial stone to the 1809 Treaty of Hamina, monument to the 1918 Finnish Civil War, monuments to the soldiers killed in the 1939-1944 Winter War and Continuation War and to those left in Karelia, and the soldiers’ graves.

Orthodox Chapel

The original wooden Church of St Peter and St Paul demolished in 1830 was located in the current field of the Reserve Officer School. A chapel was built opposite the field in 1837 to commemorate that church.

Statue of Varvara

Varvara Schantin (1870-1941) was a street vendor of bakery products. She used to sell her products to officer candidates even when they were in the middle of their field exercises. To show their appreciation, the officers who had graduated from the courses 1-43 gave the town this statue by Veikko Haukkavaara in 1972.